Opel Experimental shows the future of lighting technology

The Opel Experimental gives a preview of the future design language that will be used for the German cars but that’s not all. It also demonstrates future lighting technology that will be capable of much more than simply illuminating the road ahead and the surrounding areas. This innovative technology will increase safety and comfort while also sparking emotions.

Even more advanced lighting technology
The technology is known as Intelli-Lux LED and is an advancement of the adaptive IntelliLux LED headlights with Pixel Light already available on models such as the Corsa, Astra, Mokka and Grandland. This intelligent lighting system maintains optimum illumination at night, without dazzling drivers in oncoming cars.

“Development is making great strides here,” said Philipp Rockl, Global Lead Complex Lighting at Stellantis, which Opel is part of. “A few years ago, we were able to hide individual ‘blocks of light’, but the areas that need to be hidden can now be captured more precisely and seamlessly.”

This is made possible by, among other things, micro-LED-based HD pixel systems that have an even higher resolution than before and also offer the highest level of energy efficiency. “In addition, we will have to think about light digitally in the future. Today’s standard lighting control modules are no longer sufficient given the high number of pixels. We are already working on vehicle architectures that enable the graphical representation of light,” he added.

‘Feel good factor’ within
Inside the Experimental concept car, electrochromic materials immerse the passengers in atmospheric light and thus convey a ‘feel good’ factor. The reactive materials also have practical properties. For example, if a vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian is in the blind spot of the car, a coloured warning appears on the inside of the respective door as well as in the head-up display.

In addition, the external side view – which uses cameras instead of traditional reflective surfaces – is projected onto the inner door surface. This creates a visual ‘transparency effect’ that allows a view outside to further increase visibility.

The new reactive technology can lift the mood and increase the feel-good factor in the cabin while also improving the safety of the driver, passengers and other road users with atmospherically changing light. This is what Opel calls ‘Painting with Light’.

How future lighting technology will expand
In the video below, the Experimental (which is fully electric) also shows how future lighting technology can expand the view in completely extraordinary ways. Thanks to immersive, digital safety technologies, the car’s system will recognise pedestrians quickly – and more clearly than ever before. The augmented reality-based technology then pulsates as a warning signal and displays other important messages and signals for drivers and road-users through holograms.

“We want to optimise the light for the driver and also for the camera, so that with the help of AI, it can recognize people and animals even better,” explained Rockl. Lighting, camera and sensor technology as well as algorithms must work together for future development so that the car’s predictive and therefore safety-enhancing capabilities can be optimised in every situation.

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